Why is Alcohol Addictive?
Alcohol is addictive for a number of reasons. Like other addictive drugs, alcohol affects the brain’s reward center by increasing the levels of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward. The surge in dopamine creates a temporary feeling of euphoria or high, which can be highly reinforcing and lead to repeated alcohol use.
Alcohol can produce feelings of relaxation and reduce anxiety. This quality can make it an appealing coping mechanism for people struggling with stress or emotional pain. Drinking alcohol usually begins innocently enough. People drink a little alcohol, perhaps with a meal. People may drink socially. Social drinking may help some people overcome shyness or social anxiety.
Boredom is a frequent reason why people drink. Like any other drug, people consume alcohol to change the way they feel. Drinking in moderation isn’t usually a problem for most people. However, when a person begins drinking to cope with uncomfortable feelings, whether it be boredom, sadness or anger, drinking is much more likely to become a problem.
There are several reasons for this:
- When the alcohol is gone, the feelings and what caused them are still there.
- If we condition ourselves to see alcohol as our relief, we often turn to it more and more.
- Habitual drinking will lead to physical dependence and discomfort when you don’t drink.
The bottom line is that drinking doesn’t solve any problems. In fact, the more serious the problem that you’re drinking over is, the more likely you are to develop alcohol addiction. If you believe you or someone you love may be addicted to alcohol, you don’t have to face it alone.
Redemption Recovery is here to help. We offer a partial hospitalization program as well as outpatient treatment for those seeking an alcohol rehab in Ohio. Give us a call if you have any questions or just want to learn more about getting help for alcoholism in Ohio or anywhere in the U.S. We’re at (419) 528-8007
What Are The Signs of Alcoholism?
Believe it or not, alcoholism or alcohol addiction isn’t based solely on the amount of alcohol a person drinks or even how often they drink. The quantity of alcohol and frequency of drinking are both certainly factors, but alcohol addiction is also about the relationship someone has with alcohol. For example, the reasons why they drink. How important drinking is to them. And perhaps most importantly: whether or not they continue to drink alcohol, even in the face of substantial consequences.
One of the major red flags for spotting addiction to any substance is continued use, even after repeated negative consequences. There is perhaps no better illustration of how and why addiction to alcohol or any other substance is so dangerous. Addiction has a way of “hijacking” a person’s will and compromising their judgment. It leads them to do things they ordinarily wouldn’t. They may lie or steal from people they care about.
This compromise in judgment isn’t only limited to when the person is under the influence (drunk or high) either. Because it’s not just the alcohol that is causing the lapse in judgment. It is the obsession with alcohol (or other substance). That almost insatiable drive to get and drink alcohol. A person with alcoholism typically drinks daily or almost every day. But, some people who binge drink may be able to go for more than a day without alcohol in the beginning.
Remember that:
- Alcoholism isn’t about how much you drink so much as how you drink.
- Continuing to drink, even in spite of consequences is often a sign of alcoholism.
- Denial is common in alcoholism, if you’re not sure if you have a drinking problem, talk to someone.
Some signs of alcoholism may include:
- Often being late or absent from work.
- Unexplained spending or being short of money for no good reason.
- Showing up to parties or events already under the influence.
- Red eyes, frequently looking tired and/or unshaven.
- Refusing to go somewhere if alcohol will not be available.
How Do I Know If I Have a Drinking Problem?
This can be a difficult question to answer. Someone who drinks alcoholically will drink at least enough to feel the effects. Someone who drinks a glass of wine with dinner every evening is unlikely to have alcoholism. Someone who drinks to excess every weekend, but stays sober through the week may well not have an alcohol addiction either. However, a person who needs a few drinks to get to sleep every night is likely showing signs of early alcohol addiction.
Misusing alcohol and being addicted to alcohol isn’t necessarily the same thing. Alcohol addiction begins with the desire and need for alcohol. When a person becomes dependent upon alcohol, that’s where addiction begins. Like our example above. Say you need to have a few drinks in the evening, otherwise, you lie awake half the night staring at the ceiling. That’s a definite sign you’re dependent on alcohol.
The best way to decide if alcohol is a problem is often to look at the big picture. Consider whether or not your drinking may at least be part of the cause of some problems in your life. Addiction is a wily enemy. Because it exists in the mind, it will try and “convince” us that it doesn’t exist. In other words, part of alcoholism is often denial that a problem even exists. People who are addicted to alcohol often find other things to blame for problems that are really attributable to alcohol. For example, a romantic breakup over drinking could be brushed off as “she just doesn’t know how to have a good time” or “he just doesn’t like being social like I do”.
If you’re still not sure if alcohol is a problem for you, here are some questions to consider:
Some Questions to Ask Yourself About Alcohol
Here are some questions you might ask yourself to help you better determine whether or not alcohol addiction could be a problem for you. Remember there’s no right or wrong answer here. Just consider each question carefully and tell yourself the truth.
- Are you unable to go for 24-48 hours without drinking alcohol without feeling some discomfort?
- Do you always “pre-game” (drink at home) before going out to drink socially?
- Has anyone ever told you that they were concerned about the amount you drink or how often you drink?
- Have you ever refused to go somewhere once you heard that alcohol would not be served?
- Are you the person at the party or club who always has their next drink in their hand while they’re still on the first?
- Have you ever gotten a ticket for driving under the influence (DUI/DWI)?
What Should I Know About Alcohol Withdrawal?
When someone stops drinking abruptly after consuming alcohol regularly, they will often experience side effects. Even a person who drinks perhaps only 3 or 4 beers or mixed drinks daily can and usually will, experience some discomfort if they suddenly stop consuming alcohol.
Alcohol is one of only three categories of drugs that can be potentially deadly in withdrawal. The other two are benzodiazepines and barbiturates. While death due to alcohol withdrawal is fairly rare, you should never attempt to detox yourself off of alcohol without medical advice or supervision. Quitting alcohol abruptly can lead to extremely dangerous side effects like delirium tremens (DT’s) This is especially true if you have been drinking heavily for a number or years and/or have a family or personal history of seizures.
Never try quitting alcohol ‘cold turkey’. Ask for help. If you or someone you know is exhibiting signs of alcohol withdrawal, get immediate medical attention or call 911.
Physical alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Tremors
- Vomiting
- Cold sweats
- Hypertension
- Seizures
Psychological alcohol withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Hallucinations
- Insomnia
- Disorientation
- Confusion
- Agitation
Remember that alcohol withdrawal is, at best, very unpleasant and at worst, deadly. There is no good reason for anyone to try and detox from alcohol without medication, medical assistance and observation. There’s also no good reason for someone to try and overcome alcoholism all on their own. Help is available, all it takes is a little bit of willingness and courage to access it.
Your Trusted Alcohol Rehab in Richland County, Ohio
Redemption Recovery is a team of compassionate professionals who are committed to helping people overcome alcoholism and build new lives in recovery. For us, this is much more than a job, it’s a calling. It is a chance to help people make real and lasting change in their lives. We believe that Ohio needs our help more than ever before and we are stepping up to the challenge by providing our services for alcohol rehab in Ontario, Ohio.
If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol addiction in Ohio or anywhere else in the U.S., Redemption Recovery wants to help. We offer a range of treatment options from partial hospitalization programs (PHP) to intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and outpatient programs for those seeking an alcohol rehab in Ohio. All it takes is a phone call to (419) 528-8007 to begin a new life.
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